“Medicine” tells about overcoming suicidal thoughts. The song was inspired by health issues and COVID-19 lockdown in 2020. James Arthur explained to Guilty Pleasures, “I’ve gone through really dark places in my life. If I am being true to myself, it’s always got to be a little bit autobiographical. I just threw that in there because a lot of people can relate. Like they want to give up — I’ll always be honest with my songwriting.”

James Arthur described this song as such, “Medicine is an uplifting ode to self, to relationships, to community and connection, and to the healing, restorative powers of love over adversity. It is, you might say, the perfect song for spring 2021.”

This track was written and recorded in James Arthur’s home studio with collaborators Red Triangle, Andrew Jackson, and songwriter Yami Bell. Arthur told, “There was something really cool about me making it at home in my own studio. I’d never really enjoyed the typical process you go through when making an album in the sense that you get carted off here, there and everywhere. In my experience it’s made for quite disjointed-sounding records. It sounds like I can’t pick a lane. On [Medicine] you get the classic songwriting from me, but it’s dressed up in a way that feels much more me.”

• It’ll All Make Sense In The End •

“Medicine”

{James Arthur}

You’re my bulletproof vest when it’s getting dangerous
Always make me feel blessed, you’re my guardian angel
You are, you are, you are
Yeah, you are, you are, you are

You put your body on mine when they’re taking aim
You’re the pin in my heart, it’s a hand grenade
You are, you are, you are
The cure for all my scars

I feel like you
Could save me now
When I’m suicidal
Don’t let me spiral

You make my heart beat faster than adrenaline
You kiss away the pain of all the hell I’m in
You’re gonna make me better than I’ve ever been
‘Cause you’re my medicine, you’re my medicine

You make my heart beat faster than adrenaline
You take the pain whenever I’m in hell again
I know you’ll make me better than I’ve ever been
‘Cause you’re my medicine, yeah, you’re my medicine

You always say we should move to LA (move to LA), yeah
I’ll buy you a plane and I’ll fly you away (fly you away)
You are my heroine, you’re my escape
Everything gonna be Gucci today

I feel like you
Could save me now
I know I hurt you
I don’t deserve you, no no

You make my heart beat faster than adrenaline
You kiss away the pain of all the hell I’m in
You’re gonna make me better than I’ve ever been
‘Cause you’re my medicine, you’re my medicine

You make my heart beat faster than adrenaline
You take the pain whenever I’m in hell again
I know you’ll make me better than I’ve ever been
‘Cause you’re my medicine, yeah, you’re my medicine

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
‘Cause you’re my medicine
Yeah, yeah, whoa oh

I love the way you look in that Balenciaga
One sip of you, I’m hooked, I wanna hit it harder
No drug could feel this good, now I’m addicted to you, ooh
(Yeah)

You make my heart beat faster than adrenaline
You kiss away the pain of all the hell I’m in
You’re gonna make me better than I’ve ever been
‘Cause you’re my medicine, you’re my medicine

You make my heart beat faster than adrenaline
You take the pain whenever I’m in hell again
I know you make me better than I’ve ever been
‘Cause you’re my medicine, yeah, you’re my medicine

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
‘Cause you’re my medicine
Yeah, yeah, whoa oh

James Arthur is an English singer and songwriter. He rose to fame after winning the ninth series of The X Factor in 2012. His debut single, a cover of Shontelle's "Impossible", was released by Syco Music after the final, and debuted at number one on the UK Singles Chart.